Introduction
Employer not paying salary in Saudi Arabia is not just a legal issue — for many expats, it becomes a deeply personal crisis. Rent is due, family back home is waiting, and daily expenses don’t stop just because a company delays payments. Yet thousands of employees across Saudi Arabia stay silent for weeks or even months, unsure whether delayed salaries are legal, afraid of losing their job, or simply unaware of their rights.
From real cases seen across Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and other cities, one thing is clear: Saudi Arabia does not treat salary delays lightly. Over the past few years, the government has shifted from complaint-based enforcement to automatic digital monitoring. Through systems like the Wage Protection System (WPS) and Mudad, unpaid salaries are now tracked, flagged, and escalated — often without the employee filing a single complaint.
This guide explains exactly what the law says, how long a company can delay salary (legally: not at all), what happens after 2 months and 3 months of delay, and step-by-step what you should do to protect your income, your job, and your residency in Saudi Arabia.
Is It Legal for an Employer to Delay Salary in Saudi Arabia?
No. Salary delay is illegal in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi labor law requires employers to pay salaries on time, every month, and through the banking system. There is no legal allowance for delaying wages due to business losses, cash-flow problems, or internal company issues.
Many employees assume delays are temporary or normal. In reality, even a single delayed salary can trigger a WPS alert, and repeated delays quickly escalate into serious violations.
Saudi Labor Law on Salary Payment
Under regulations enforced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, employers must:
- Define a clear basic wage
- Pay salaries monthly
- Use bank transfer only
- Record wages accurately in official systems
Failure to comply is considered:
- A labor law violation
- A Wage Protection System breach
- Grounds for inspection, penalties, and service suspension
Saudi Arabia relies heavily on automatic system enforcement, not just employee complaints — a major advantage for workers.
What Is the Wage Protection System (WPS)?
The Wage Protection System (WPS) is a government-mandated program that monitors salary payments across Saudi Arabia.
How WPS works in simple terms:
- Employers upload payroll files monthly
- Banks confirm actual salary transfers
- The system compares declared wages with real payments
If salaries are late, partially paid, or not paid at all, the employer is automatically flagged — even if the employee says nothing.
What Is Mudad and How Salary Violations Are Detected?
Mudad is the official platform that manages WPS compliance.
Employers must use Mudad to:
- Register employee salaries
- Declare basic wages
- Upload payroll files on time
Once salaries are due, Mudad:
- Sends reminders
- Issues warnings
- Escalates violations automatically
If ignored, inspection visits are triggered without employee complaints.
Saudi Gazette Update: New Mudad Salary Violations Explained
According to a Saudi Gazette report, the Ministry clarified additional salary-related violations many employees are unaware of.
Salary Actions That Trigger Mudad Violations
| Violation Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Unreasonable basic wage | Too low or too high for the role |
| Missing basic wage | Not recorded for over 90 days |
| Excessive deductions | More than 50% of salary |
| No wage record | Salary not paid or not recorded |
| Incorrect wage entry | Manipulated or wrong fields |
These violations appear in the employer’s official compliance record and directly affect their ability to operate.
Salary Delay Timeline in Saudi Arabia
| Time Period | System Action | Employer Impact | Employee Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–30 days | Reminder stage | Warnings | Prepare documentation |
| 31–60 days | Serious violation | Partial service suspension | File complaint advised |
| 61–90 days | Critical violation | Full service suspension | Transfer rights activate |
This process is automatically enforced through Mudad.
What Happens After 2 Months Salary Delay?
A 2-month salary delay is a serious violation.
At this stage:
- Employer services begin to restrict
- Compliance rating drops
- Ministry monitoring increases
Employees should immediately:
- Collect evidence
- Avoid cash payments
- Prepare formal escalation
What Happens After 3 Months Salary Delay?
A 3-month salary delay triggers maximum penalties.
Consequences include:
- Suspension of all employer services
- No new visas or renewals
- No business transactions
Most importantly:
- Employees can transfer to a new employer without consent
- Work permit validity does not block the transfer
This rule exists to prevent exploitation and forced labor.
Can Employees Change Jobs Without NOC?
Yes. When salary delay exceeds three months, employees may legally change employers without NOC.
Transfers are processed through Absher and labor systems.
This applies to:
- Expats
- Saudi nationals
- Valid iqama holders
Read More: What is End of Service benifits which Expats ignore?
Where & How to File a Salary Complaint in Saudi Arabia (Official Guide)
Salary disputes in Saudi Arabia are not handled by embassies or police.
All cases are managed through official labor systems overseen by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Not handled by:
- Embassies or consulates
- Police stations
- Sponsors or HR promises
Using the wrong channel delays justice.
Step-by-Step: How to File a Salary Complaint Online
Step 1: Prepare Evidence
- Bank statements
- Employment contract (if available)
- Messages or written promises
Step 2: Submit Complaint
- Log in via Absher-linked account
- Select Labor Complaint / Salary Dispute
- Upload evidence and submit
Step 3: Mediation Stage
- Employer responds officially
- Justification may be submitted through Mudad
Step 4: Employee Decision Window (Critical)
- Employer has 10 days to justify
- Employee has 3 days to accept or reject
- No response may auto-process employer explanation
Step 5: Escalation
Unresolved cases move to Labor Dispute Resolution Committees.
Most cases resolve before court.
What Happens to the Employer During This Process?
- Compliance score drops
- Services restrict progressively
- After 3 months, full suspension applies
- Employees gain transfer rights
Critical Expat Warnings
Employees often lose claims because they:
- Leave Saudi Arabia before filing
- Accept cash payments
- Ignore Mudad notifications
- Wait too long
👉 Always file while your iqama is active.
FAQs
How to file a salary complaint against an employer in Saudi Arabia online?
You can file a salary complaint online through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development labor services portal using your Absher-linked account and uploaded salary evidence.
What legal steps can I take if my employer in Saudi Arabia is not paying my salary?
You can file a labor complaint, go through mandatory mediation, escalate to a labor dispute committee, and request job transfer without NOC if the delay reaches three months.
How to contact the Ministry of Labor in Saudi Arabia regarding unpaid salary?
You can contact the Ministry via its online labor portal, visit a labor office with appointment, or call the unified labor hotline 19911.
What happens after 3 months salary delay in Saudi Arabia for expats?
After 3 months of unpaid salary, expats can legally transfer to a new employer without NOC, and employer services are fully suspended.
What happens after 2 months salary delay in Saudi Arabia?
After 2 months, the employer faces partial service suspension, and employees are advised to file formal complaints immediately.
What is the Mudad Wage Protection System?
Mudad is the official platform that manages payroll compliance and enforces WPS salary rules in Saudi Arabia.
